Book Review: Artful Adventures in Mixed Media

Writing a book is a lot like having a child. You carry it with you in your mind for months, even years for some. You work on making it perfect, wondering if the world will love it as MUCH as you do. You wonder what they'll say about you, your creativity and the value of what is in between the front and back cover of your baby. There are so many excited and nervous emotions, to name a few; that come with writing a book.

When my dear friend Nathalie sent me a copy of her book to review, I remember the feelings of trepidation, anxiety, excitement just opening the box. From the moment I saw her cover art I was impressed. Just looking at the cover of her gorgeous book is a reward with an explosion of color and texture. A quick glance through brings intrigue and the feeling that I just can't wait to find a few moments to read, digest and ingest every single thing inside and then get to work creating something from her easy to follow instructions.

Nat has not only shared her precious heart in this book, but her tried and true techniques for creating gorgeous and colorful mixed media art. From the ultimate beginner to the advanced "professional" there is something for everyone to learn. Her unique process of inspiration and exploration brought something alive in me and made me want to create something different, colorful and beautiful while maintaining my own sense of style.

I decided to mix and match a few things and create something inspired from her beautiful book, Artful Adventures in Mixed Media.

Below I have cited each part of the book that inspired me, so you can see how my process evolved after reading her book.

Chapter 5: Texture Collage. I am a total vintage book, music sheet and tissue paper junkie so it's no surprise that this spoke to me for the base of my painting. I did try tearing the papers, but decided that I prefer cutting them because I prefer a clean edge. Instead of moving right into an image transfer, I added some gesso and transparent color to tone down the background and unify the design. It was pretty hard to let it sit and dry over night.

I was really inspired by the art on page 66 and 67 -- and decided that the blues and greens and a little pink would be a nice color palette to stick with. Because I wanted the next step to be the most prominent, I created the entire base painting before the image transfer.

I am truly inspired by nature, if you know my art at all -- and her chapter about Enjoying Nature's Beauty really spoke to me -- maybe I should have tried a cityscape, but since I live in the country flowers and greenery really ignite my creativity. I decided to create a digital collage from a photograph I had taken. Once it was printed, I had a photocopy made and set to adding it to my painting using a traditional gel medium image transfer.

I kept going back to the art on pages 66 and 67 -- and added some sgraffito techniques as well as some stamping with brown ink in the background.

To finish my fun painting, I splattered paints here and there, added some green to the foreground and added my little Maya Angelou quote. I feels finished -- and it really inspires me to want to create more pieces of art inspired by this amazing book. I hope you love it and find as as much inspiration from it as I have.

Thanks for dropping by today, have a wonderful day.

Daily PaintWorks

I have had so many people tell me that they love Daily PaintWorks that I thought I'd give it a try. I've listed a few of my latest 5x7 Paintings there, hope you'll take a look!

Thanks for dropping by, hope you have a wonderful day!

In the End: Creative Storytelling

Here we are at week 5 and our last post for the special presentation of the Whatevers Three! It's hard to believe a whole month has gone by and we've shared 5 fun pictures with you. I have really enjoyed my weekly mixed media pages and have been cooking up some fun ideas to use my stash of photos on.

You can read Vic's blog post for this photo by clicking here
You can read Nat's blog post for this photo by clicking here

Also, make you stop by the Whatevers Facebook Page, which you can find here. You can also share your project with us there, we love to see the story you create around the photo!

Here's the photo we used for this week: Women in a Truck!

Please note, we are sharing these photos with YOU for your PERSONAL use only -- we love and encourage you to share your work on social media with credit back to the Whatevers! These photos are not for classes or in any resale situation!

And here's my story for week 5:

In the end, Winston knew everything was gonna be ok.

THANK you so much for joining us on this fun remake of the Whatevers, make sure you like our Facebook pages, you never know what we're going to do next! 

Creative Storytelling -- we're bringing back the Whatevers!

I have been so excited that our 2 year long project from a few years ago, The Whatevers made it on the cover of the May/June Cloth, Paper Scissors magazine.  It's been hard to keep it a secret for the last few months.

This project, that my two dear friends Nat Kalbach and Vicki Chrisman and I shared is one that has always been near and dear to my heart. It was a fun way to create and be silly with no deadlines or requirements and we got to give our favorite photos a story.

• You can read Vic's blog post for this photo by clicking here.
• You can read Nat's blog post for this photo by clicking here.
• Visit the Whatevers Facebook Page here. You can also share your project with us there, we love to see the story you create around the photo!

Here's the photo we used for this week: Mr. and Mrs. Dam.

Please note, we are sharing these photos with YOU for your PERSONAL use only -- we love and encourage you to share your work on social media with credit back to the Whatevers! These photos are not for classes or in any resale situation! 

So without further delay, here's my colorful page. 

 

The text says: Winston was always embarrassed by how much effort her parents put into the annual 4th of July Parade.

 

She was always grateful at the end of the day.

 

Make sure you come back tomorrow for another installment in my FREE Creative Storytelling class. Thank you so much for dropping by, have a wonderful day!

The Whatevers: A Journey into Creative Storytelling

Four years ago I taught an on-line class at My Creative Classroom called Creative Storytelling, it coincided with the Whatevers Project that Nat Kalbach, Vicki Chrisman and myself were working on at the time.

Since My Creative Classroom closed a few years ago, I have decided to share some of the lessons with you, to coincide with our magazine article (and we got the COVER -- woohoo) in the May/June Issue of Cloth, Paper Scissors.

So as not to overwhelm, I'll share the 5 videos here and there over the next few weeks. To get started thinking about this, here's a little Fast Forward showing how one of my pages comes together. I didn't make any changes to the content of the videos, so the intro and voice over is out dated and the videos may be out of order from the original class, but the content is relevant to the release of the magazine article.

Enjoy, and have a wonderful day. Thank you for dropping by. 

Big Announcement -- CREATIVE JumpStart!

I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating as an artist in Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2017, run for the 6th time by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2017 that I've been a part of since 2012. It's such a fun event, I really love looking back and feeling great about how far I've come as an artist. This year I can't wait to share my jump with you!

When you sign up for Creative Jumpstart you'll learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters -- and really JUMP START your creativity.

This is how it works, throughout January participants get access to 27 downloadable videos from 27 featured artists. I'm proud to be one of those artists, called “JumpStarters.” Each day is a new artist and new technique. Here's a little sneak peak so you can see for yourself:


Announcing Creative JumpStart 2017 - CJS17 from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.


If you are interested, be sure to head on over to Nathalie's site to sign up and for more details:

http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/creative-jumpstart-2017/?wpam_id=5

Here's how you can save! Sign up before November 30th (11:59pm EST) and you'll get all 27 videos for just $40 (USD).  Afterwards it will be 45USD until December 31st, 2016 before it goes to its normal sale price of 50USD.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up here at Creative Jumpstart 2017.

http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/creative-jumpstart-2017/?wpam_id=5

Jillibean Soup + CardMaker Magazine Blog

Hello everyone, thank you so much for dropping by today for the Jillibean Soup + CardMaker Magazine blog hop. You're coming here from Sean Fetterman's fun blog.

 

Today I wanted to share with you how EASY the super sweet Mason Jar Shaker Cards are to use and show you how I created a super cute snowman jar.

To create this card, I stamped the snowmen using black Archival Ink. For the background, I stamped and embossed white snowflakes and then used Prussian and Blue watercolor paints to paint the background. then I added little bits of color here and there to my snowmen and women and I set it aside to dry.

To attach the clear jar to the snowmen stamped image, just pull the white paper off of the adhesive and press into place.

I stuck a few large snowflake sequins inside to give my shaker a little excitement. 

To finish up, I added a string around the edge of the jar. 

And a cute tag to the string. 

 

To finish I used a double stick adhesive to add it to the inside of my card, I also covered the back of the card with a pretty snowflake paper to hide the back of my messy painted paper -- and voila -- this super cute card is done!

 

Make sure you head on over to Jeanne Streiff's blog and see what creative genius she has whipped up for you today!

Here's the entire list of bloggers that playing along in the CardMaker blog post in case anyone gets lost.

CardMaker Blog: http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/blog/
Daniela Dobson: http://danieladobson.blogspot.com/
Kelly Gettelfinger: www.alwaysstampin.com
Sean Fetterman: www.fettermandesigns.blogspot.com
Catherine Scanlon: http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/ ==> You're Here
Jeanne Streiff: www.inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Juliana Michaels: http://www.17turtles.com/
Jillibean Soup Blog: http://www.jillibeansoup.typepad.com/

Also, make sure you stop by the Jillibean Soup blog -- I heard from a little birdie that they'll be hosting an amazing giveaway on their blog.

Here's the link for you: http://www.jillibeansoup.typepad.com/

THANKS for dropping by, have a wonderful day! 

THANK you Everyone!

Thank you to everyone that dropped by and left a sweet comment on my CardMaker Magazine post, I wish I could pick you all and send stamps to all of you lovelies! Don't worry though, I do have more stamps to give away - so stay tuned!

In the mean time, lets all congratulate Laura Holt on winning these three Leaf sets! Wohoo Laura -- I will email you at the address you listed!

Art Gone Wild Stamp GiveAway

Hello and HAPPY Friday! I can hardly believe that it's MID-October! Where has this year gone anyway?

Anyway, on to business this glorious day. I thought I say a big, heartfelt thank you to everyone for dropping by  -- especially the new visitors that are coming from the CardMaker Magazine blog post I shared and the fun animated GIF that shows the easy steps I followed to make the card I created in the sketch. 

As I mentioned, today I'm giving away the three Cling Stamp Sets from Art Gone Wild that I reference in my blog post, you can check them out here:  

• Short Leaf Duo http://artgonewild.com/catherine-scanlon-cling-mount-stamp-set-short-leaf-duo-cscs-2814.html
• Fall Leaf Duo http://artgonewild.com/catherine-scanlon-cling-mount-stamp-set-fall-leaf-duo-cscs-2816.html
• Tall Leaf Duo http://artgonewild.com/catherine-scanlon-cling-mount-stamp-set-tall-leaf-duo-cscs-2815.html

I'll be picking a winner on Wednesday, October 19th so be sure to leave a comment and a way for me to reach you if you are chosen.

Thank you so much, have a wonderful weekend! 

Glue Dots + CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop

Hello everyone -- welcome to the Glue Dots and CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop. You hopped on over here from Kim Rippers blog. Today I wanted to share my new favorite product from Glue Dots -- the Glue Lines products -- but Glue Dots has been around for along time and they have a lot of really great products to choose from. 

I bet you're wondering what I really love about the Glue Lines...right? Well let me tell you -- these 1" lines of glue are perfect to permanently attach items to your paper projects and give them a little bit of dimension. They are pretty easy to use, just tear a piece of the cellophane strip they are packaged on and attach it to the item you want to attach to something else. The BEST part -- the cellophane stays on the Glue Line until you decide you're ready to attach it. This little feature allows you to prepare a large amount of items without having them stick together AND you can move it around on your project until you're sure where you want it to be.  

To make this card I used some Masking Fluid to mask the lines of the spider web and then painted Black and Indigo Acrylic Paint over the paper. Before it was dry I sprinkled some salt (my favorite technique) over the paint. 

When the paint was COMPLETELY dry I used an eraser to remove the masking fluid. For the sentiment, I stamped and embossed the word Boooo! using White Embossing Powder on Vellum and attached it to the bottom of the card. 

Then I used the Glue Lines to attach the Black Glitter Bats. Such an easy card, and the Glue Dots Glue Lines sure make attaching the bats super easy.

Make sure you visit the Glue Dots website to see their entire line of products as well as visit their blog today to see the AMAZING giveaway they are offering you!

 

Make sure you hop on over to the Glue Dots Blog because they are hosting a giveaway. Also,  be sure to check out the other amazing artists participating in the hop today! You're next stop on this blog hop is Melanie East, and I've included the entire list in case you forget where you are headed! 

• CardMaker Blog 

• Amanda Tibbitts 

• Danielle Hunter

• Kelly Gettelfinger 

• Dawn Barrett 

• Donna Budzynski 

• Grace Tolman

• Sean Fetterman

• Janet Van Lone Trieschman

• Kelly Hedgespeth

• Kim Rippere 

• Catherine Scanlon You Are Here!!

• Melanie East 

• Robyn Power

• Samantha Taylor

• Jeanne Streiff

• Shannon Morgan

• Tammy Santana

• Glue Dots Blog

• Glue Dots Website: http://www.gluedots.com/index.html

THANK you for dropping by and THANK you Glue Dots for letting us try your amazing products! 

Midnight Oasis

I've been a bit enamored with how my art translates to bags, tops and scarfs -- and I thought I'd share one of my recent favorites.

I created this canvas for work, and it's one I really love. I know this sounds cliche, but it kinda painted itself and I was only the guide for the brush. 

Just look how lovely it is on this sleeveless top!

And this great tote bag!




Here's a little gift from me for you to use, it's good until October 10th!

Note: $20 Gift Card code can be used multiple times, but only once per transaction. $20 gift cards can not be used towards the purchase of gift boxes or cotton pocket squares. The code FavArtist20 can be used multiple times, but only once per transaction.

I hope you'll take a minute and check out my Vida shop, but in the meantime -- thank you so much for stopping by!

Bella BLVD and CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Bella BLVD and CardMaker Magazine blog hop! I'm excited to share my project and quick little video using the AMAZING stash of Illustrated Faith products that Bella BLVD sent me! Also, make sure you hop on over to their blog because they will be hosting a pretty awesome giveaway over there.

I'm not much of the type of person that can write and draw in my Bible, it just doesn't feel right to me. I remember as a kid my Mom caught me with some crayons coloring in hers and she scolded me pretty bad. I guess that's probably why it makes me feel uncomfortable, like I am doing something wrong. If you're like me, you can still use the amazing Illustrated Faith products in a companion journal or even for your card making endeavors.

Today I wanted to share this colorful card I created with the Bella BLVD acrylic paints and the Friendship Die Cut shapes.

 Here's a quick video showing how I created the background. You'll need mixed media paper, water, a non-stick surface and kosher salt.

Once my papers were dry, I trimmed them to 4 3/4" x 6 3/4", rounded the corners and wrapped a piece of olive green ribbon around the center before I attached it to my card blank. Then I added the sprigs of leaves and the flower box -- which was on 1/8" thick foam tape.

The final step was to cut the sentiment from an old hymnal and glue it to the pretty flower square using a glue stick. If you were working in your companion journal you could easily create some found poetry to convey the parts of the Bible that you were thinking about.

You're next stop on the Bella BLVD and CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop is: Becki Adams

In case you got turned around, I thought I'd share the entire list of bloggers for the hop today:

CardMaker (http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/blog/)
Catherine Scanlon (http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/) You are here!
Becki Adams (http://beckiadams.blogspot.com)
Daniela Dobson (http://danieladobson.blogspot.com/)
Jeanne Streiff (http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/)
Juliana Michaels (http://www.17turtles.com/)
Stephanie Buice (http://mybitsofsunshine.blogspot.com)
Kelly Gettelfinger (http://www.alwaysstampin.com/)
Nancy Damiano (http://thepaperorchard.blogspot.com/)
Laurie Schmidlin (http://www.justgivemestamps.typepad.com)
Sean Fetterman (http://fettermandesigns.blogspot.com/)
Bella Blvd (www.bellablvd.typepad.com)

Thank for joining me today, have a WONDERFUL weekend! 

Vida Showcase

Today I wanted to share my Vida shop with you -- and also a $20. Gift Code when you order -- and I'm pretty sure you can use it on anything in the shop. The sleeveless tops and scarfs are so beautiful, especially these two!

I think the sleeveless top would be perfect with a super cozy sweater this winter. I can't wait for my scarfs to arrive -- the $20 coupon code expires tomorrow night -- so make sure you take advantage of the savings! 

http://shopvida.com/collections/catherine-scanlon

 

THANK you so much for dropping by, have a wonderful THURSDAY!

Beautiful Inspiration Piece

See the pretty inspiration that I used to create this black and white card on the CardMaker Magazine blog! 

Thanks for dropping by, have a wonderful weekend!

Hello -- What's New?

I created a tutorial for this card over on the CardMaker Magazine blog, but made a little change to it that I thought I'd share. I didn't really like the background around the stamped design, so I added a little grey and light blue paint -- and I like it so much better now.

Here's what it looked like after I painted the background:

and what it looked like before:

PS. This is my Elegant Flower Frame from Art Gone Wild, you can find here!

Have a wonderful day, thanks for dropping by.